The decision about whether to provide restorative care to young children is based on the dentist's confidence and skill levels as well as other factors. These factors include the following:

• The child's perceived temperament, either as observed by the dentist or through parental report.
• The parents' attitudes about the procedure.
• The extent and severity of dental caries.
• The safety of the procedure.
• The procedure's short- and long-term effects.
• How the procedure fits into the child's long-term care.

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